Anonymous gambling on poker machines in New South Wales should be allowed until 2028 and operating hours should not be further restricted, senior members of the government’s independent panel for gaming reform say.
A leaked report by the panel’s three-person executive committee, which outlines a “draft roadmap for gaming reform”, has also warned that a buyback scheme for pokies “would be costly and not likely impact gaming machine numbers in a significant way”.
The confidential report, seen by Guardian Australia, also called on government to consider introducing “mandatory and more detailed signage in venues that explicitly explains how the game calculates outcomes for every spin, emphasising that individuals cannot influence or manipulate [an] outcome”.
An overview of the executive committee’s recommendations does not mention a trial of cashless gaming cards. It recommends the creation of a new “centralised account-based gaming system” to be launched in 2027, before becoming mandatory for all venues in 2028.
According to the executive committee, this new system would be linked to a statewide self-exclusion register and facial recognition technology. It should collect data “to enable automated risk monitoring” of transactions.
While the system should “not permit anonymous play”, the committee recommended the government “consider reduced identity verification processes for casual players and players from outside of NSW”.
The new system should also “permit the continued use of cash to top up a player account, whether at a cashier or at the gaming machine, up to a certain amount”.
It also recommended the government establish a separate implementation committee in 2025 to oversee the design of the account-based scheme, noting “there are technical challenges that need to be worked through”.
While the committee recommended the scheme not become mandatory until 2028, it said the government should consider allowing venues to voluntarily become early adopters “ahead of the centralised account-based gaming system being ready”.
The recommendations come two years after a NSW Crime Commission report warned billions of dollars in “dirty” money was being gambled in pubs and clubs. The report said “mandatory cashless gaming will minimise money laundering associated with electronic gaming machines by removing anonymity”.
The panel’s three executive committee members are Michael Foggo, a former commissioner of NSW Liquor, Gaming and Racing, Dr Ursula Stephens, a former NSW Labor senator, and Niall Blair, a former deputy leader of the NSW Nationals.
The panel includes members of NSW police, Clubs NSW, the Australian Hotels Association, Gaming Technologies Australia, Leagues Club Australia, the trustee of the Responsible Gambling Fund, NSW Council of Social Services, Wesley Mission, the United Workers Union, two academics, and one person with lived experience.
Panel members have been asked to provide feedback on the executive committee’s recommendations. Guardian Australia understands the suite was not universally welcomed and discussions are ongoing.
A spokesperson for the NSW gaming and racing minister, David Harris, said the government was yet to receive the report.
“Once the government has received and considered the recommendations, we will respond in due course,” they said. “The government will not engage in speculation about the contents of the report.”
The executive committee has recommended the government “retain the minimum six-hour shutdown period, commencing no later than 4am”, and to “repeal all existing variations”.
“If a variation is to be provided, ensure it is time-limited with very stringent criteria and still provide for a continuous six-hour shut down period.”
Some members of the expert panel have previously called for a 10-hour shutdown period from midnight to 10am.
The committee also called on the government to “commission a comprehensive review of gaming loyalty programs in NSW” in 2026 to “identify any potential risks that may influence gambling behaviour”.
This month Guardian Australia revealed a major NSW club promoted its loyalty rewards program on the first day of gambling harm awareness week.
